Qualifying for this year's Wilkes County elections will begin April 24 and run through April 28, Wilkes County Supervisor of Elections Jim Burton said.

"The dates for qualifying candidates for political office in Wilkes County is set by Georgia law and this year will begin at 9 a.m. on April 24 and close at 12 p.m. on April 28," he said.

For those wishing to qualify to run for office as a Democrat, Wilkes County Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Martin H. Burgess has asked that they complete the necessary forms and pay the qualifying fee in the Probate Judge's office.

Candidates who wish to run as Republicans may qualify with the Republican Committee Chairman, Tommy Young, at the Republican Headquarters on East Robert Toombs Avenue.

The Board of Commissioners has published a list of qualifying fees for the county offices that will have their term expire at the year's end, Judge Burton said. In the January 19 edition of The News-Reporter, five offices were listed: Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Board of Commissioners seats from District 3 and District 4; and Board of Education seats from District 1 and District 2.

Qualifying fees for the Chairman's office is $1,627.17, while the fees for other offices is $72.

Judge Burton reminded the voting public that the primary is held to determine which candidates will represent the major parties on the election ballot. "That's the reason for the poll worker inquiring 'In which primary would you like to vote?'" he said.

In the General Election in November, however, a Georgia voter can mix his ballot to include candidates from both parties, as well as the nonpartisan candidates.

"The primary is the method that we use to nominate those who will appear on the election ballot in November," Judge Burton said. "A voter would be wise to prepare himself by studying the ballots in The News-Reporter and the samples that are on display in the voting precinct on election day."